This summer we've profiled recipients of summer undergraduate research fellowships to learn about their academic interests and glance into their daily lives as undergraduate researchers.

Our final interview features MCB senior Mia Rode, a member of the Daniel Llano lab and a 2024 recipient of the Jenner Family Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 

Why did you decide to apply for a fellowship? 
Engaging in undergraduate research has been an invaluable experience in cultivating my curiosity, engaging with classroom material in a real-world context, and challenging myself in new ways. The opportunity to continue this in an even more focused way was a no-brainer!

How did you get involved in Dr. Llano’s lab?
I took IB 150 the first semester of my freshman year with Simran Singh as my TA. She mentioned that she was new on campus and looking for some undergraduate students to get involved. The rest is history! Sometimes it’s all about being in the right spot at the right time.

Tell us about your research interests and what you’re working on this summer.
I am interested in the molecular anatomy of the brain as it pertains to health diagnostics and the development of personalized therapeutics. My project focuses specifically on investigating qualitative differences in myelin in different areas of the auditory cortex. Better understanding of the anatomy of the brain will help improve medical imaging and diagnostics; this project is just a small step in that direction.

What does an average day look like for you?
My days are incredibly variable, which makes every week exciting. Some days I perfuse and section tissues. Other days I run and troubleshoot histology and immunohistochemistry staining protocols on prepared tissue samples. On downtime, I research protocols that are giving me trouble and read relevant literature to help me understand the background and other research being done in the lab’s field. I really enjoy the mix of different lab activities as I feel it gives me a well-rounded experience of research.

What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain a better understanding of the research process in its entirety: how one brainstorms a research question to the development of an experimental design to the presentation of results. I also hope to strengthen my understanding of scientific literature, foundational neuroanatomy knowledge, and collaboration skills.

What are your career or academic goals?
I hope to attend medical school and spend my career helping patients navigate the world of cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and ever-expanding treatment options. I also have a deep interest in bioethics, so it would be cool to find some way to tie that in.

Do you have any advice for other undergraduates who would like to get involved in research?
Don’t be scared to reach out and talk to people. PIs were once in your shoes! And take the time to get to know your TAs. Even though I’m already in a lab, it has been so eye-opening to hear about the wonderful and interesting work that my TAs are doing. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. Beyond that, Illinois is home to some of the coolest research out there and more undergraduate students should take advantage of opportunities to hear about it firsthand.

How do you like to spend your free time? Any fun facts about yourself?
I like to spend my free time playing the flute, baking new recipes, and enjoying the company of my wonderful friends here on campus. My fun fact is that I am a triplet!